Play rehearsals 'tempestuous'

Pam Brighton directed the first production in 1996

Rehearsals for the first production of a play which went on to be an international hit were tempestuous, the High Court in London has heard.

Belfast-based Pam Brighton is claiming joint copyright ownership of the play Stones in his Pockets, which until now has been known as the sole work of award-winning playwright Marie Jones.

Ms Jones is contesting claims being made against her by Ms Brighton and by the DubbelJoint Theatre Company.

The production is currently playing in the West End and went on to become a worldwide success.

The case, which began its hearing last Wednesday at the High Court in London, centres on two versions of the play, in 1996 and 1999.

Stones in his Pockets was originally produced by the DubbelJoint Theatre Company in Belfast in 1996.

The actor Conleth Hill, who appeared in both versions, gave evidence in court on Monday.

Mr Hill disagreed with questions from Ms Brighton's lawyer about how Ms Jones had incorporated some changes to the script after improvisations in rehearsals.

Mr Hill said that "made her sound like a chimpanzee on a typewriter" which was to "underestimate" her talents.

He added that she was "not just a stenographer".

'Fall out'

Another actor, Dan Gordon, told the court that he did not take a part in the play because he and Ms Brighton had fallen out.

Mr Gordon said he heard reports that the first version was "very bad" and "not a critical success".

He added that Ms Brighton was a "powerhouse" in her role as a "brilliant director".

Ms Jones's husband Ian McElhinney, who directed the 1999 version, also briefly gave evidence.

He said his wife and Ms Brighton had been close friends and that Ms Brighton had lived in their house at times when he was regularly away from home.

Since its initial run in Belfast, the play has been produced all over the world and won a major London award.

The hearing is expected to continue until Tuesday.